Hebrews 12:1-2
"...let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith..."

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

How Great Thou Art

If I ever had to give up my Bible, the first thing I would reach for is a hymnal. Hymns were ingrained in me throughout my childhood years both at church and in our home--and for that, I am thankful.

This past weekend was no exception. It was during my quiet time that God brought to my mind and heart the old familiar hymn, "How Great Thou Art". This hymn has a lot of meaning to me and it was not by chance that God reminded me of it.

Our oldest daughter, Brooke, was born on Tuesday, February 19, 1990. We were thrilled and felt incredibly blessed with this little baby that God had entrusted to us. At the time, we were attending a wonderful church in Slater and we were so excited to show our church family our new daughter. So, that next Sunday on February 25, 1990, we went and worshiped with Brooke not even a week old. I remember standing by Kurt, with Brooke in my arms, as we sang "How Great Thou Art". Tears streamed down my face as I sang and shivers ran through me. My soul knew life was good and God was great.

Little did we know that four years later, on that exact date of February 25, 1994, we would be attending Brooke's funeral. I remember standing by Kurt, this time with empty arms, as we sang "How Great Thou Art". Tears streamed down my face as I sang and shivers ran through me. My soul knew life was not good but God was still great.

So, last weekend, I reflected on those memories all that day and I praised God for his faithfulness to us. I thought of all he has done in my life and how he is true to his character. HE IS GREAT--he always has been and he always will be. I can totally trust him with this adoption journey!

But my day wasn't over yet....Have you ever experienced a time when you felt God reach down from heaven to love on you--where you feel like something happens for you and you alone? Our church usually sings praise songs and rarely sings the old hymns but, last weekend, we happened to sing a hymn...and it just happened to be "How Great Thou Art". As in years past, I again was standing by Kurt. Tears streamed down my face as I sang and shivers ran through me. My soul knows that whatever this journey brings God is, has always been and will forever be great!

On our drive home from church, I was explaining to Kurt "what" happened in church. (I cry a lot lately--poor guy.) The cool thing is....Kurt then shared with me that he also had been reminded of that song all through the week. Wow, God is great!

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Kurt has been on vacation this week and we have been able to begin crossing things off of our (LONG) adoption "to do" list. God has been extremely gracious to us and we have seen Him work in some pretty cool ways again and again! We covet your continued prayers.

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